The Directive on Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, RED) sets ambitious targets for all Member States. Under the RED the EU should reach by 2020 a 20% share of energy from renewable sources and a 10% share of renewable energy specifically in the transport sector. Renewable energy from biofuels, including those imported into the EU, should come from sustainable sources and deliver high greenhouse gas (GHG) savings, at least 35% when compared to fossil fuels.
In growing biofuels land use changes can lead to changes in carbon stocks in soils and biomass and subsequent changes in GHG emissions, which forms an important factor in the sustainability assessment. To encourage industry, governments and NGOs to set up voluntary certification schemes for all types of biofuels a new scheme was adopted by the European Commission as Commission Decision of 10 June 2010 on guidelines for the calculation of land carbon stocks for the purpose of Annex V to Directive 2009/28/EC (notified under document The data made available on these pages are referred to in the Guide for Calculation of Carbon Stock Changes in Soil and Above and Below Ground Vegetation due to Land Use Conversion, which was prepared in support to Commission Decision C(2010) 3751). The thematic spatial layers complement the data already published on the reference climate region and soil type classification. Read More
